--The blood of the Benefactor.

The Darkness appeared in the town of Gru.

Speaking of which, I saw the article about it in the Demonic News before. The Ciha's Bloodline........I believe it was a charity organization.

Francesca then answers Sufilia's question.

'Yes. There is a lot of mystery about this organization and the only rumors I hear are bad ones. People should have this much support, but behind the scenes there are rumors that they are kidnappers, human traffickers, and so on and so forth.

I see. So it's black, then. They say that where there is no fire, there is no smoke.

Masamune answers immediately.
He doesn't seem interested, but he doesn't seem to think too well of it.

'But I can't find the "fire". That's why I've been told it's all a hoax.

Francesca's eyes on "Ankh Amadeus" were disgustingly negative, unlike those of the reporter, who had been radiant and interested in everything.

Then, at the signal of Amadeus's raised right hand, the cheering stopped, and Amadeus spoke to the woman who was shuffling her feet and trembling on the clock tower.

'You are hesitating, aren't you?'

A voice that radiates a unique talent.
But from the quality of his voice, I don't think he's that old.
Of course, in a different world, voices don't give us any clues.

Then the woman replied, as if to stifle her fear.

'I am! ...I don't want to live anymore!

It was a cry of grief.

Then Amadeus held out his hands and spoke with an inflection in his voice.

'That's all right!　--Inequality!　Unjust!　Unreasonable!　The list goes on and on. But these are the laws of the world!　It's not something to be resisted!　The things that come around in life, you have no choice but to accept them as your own karma. In other words!　The fact that you've gotten to where you are now this is something you have to accept, and it's something you should.

At Amadeus' words, the place fell silent and everyone listened.
What does the White One have to say?
That's what everyone wants to know.

You're the water!　That is to say, as the waters of a river sometimes flow gently, sometimes crookedly, and sometimes violently, so it is all in the reason of nature, and you have come to it now, without going against the reason. What, then, is there to fear?　What's holding you back?

Then the Toa's expression was distorted by that speech.

''That man ... what is he saying?''

What's there is so disgusting that it induces nausea.
It's not the narrative that's the problem.
Toa's thoughts had not been able to keep up with the speech, which seemed to justify suicide.

Then the suicidal woman spoke back.

'I ... know that I shouldn't. I know that life is precious.

'Yes!　It is true that life is precious. But life is born and then dies. That's life!　So why are you cutting out death now?　"Death is just as precious as life. Then why should there be any doubt in your mind that you are now accepting death?　Because to do so would be tantamount to disobeying that which you just said is "precious life"!　You do not accept reason!　And go against the flow!　This is a betrayal of self!　And!　Blasphemy against death is a blasphemy against life!　When you take even one step back from that spot!　You betrayed your own allegiance to that "precious life"!　And it's covered in the stench of its own body!　The miasma is a miasma of decay and miasma (disease) that surrounds you.

The woman is frightened, shaking her lips and shoulders and legs.

"You are fooling with your life!

Amadeus asks as he folds up.
Interestingly, none of the people around him deny it.

''I'm kind of scared...''

Then Nem was frightened by the sight of it.
Nem doesn't really understand what it is.
But I'm aware that it's a bad thing.

''What is this........this?''

It's so new to me that I don't know how to describe it.
But this is why this organization professes to be a charity, while on the other hand it is called a religious organization.
Ankh Amadeus preaches and leads others.

'This is the bloodline of the Charity.

Francesca has an expression on her face as if she had bitten down on a bitter bug.
Masamune's attitude is somewhat cold and dismissive.

'Come on, embrace death!　Beyond that, namely!　That is happiness!　Show me your choice!

Amadeus contorted his fingers as if he were grasping something with his left hand and then held it up.
What could be seen at the end of the raised arm was the figure of a woman trembling in fear.

''Hurry up and jump off!

"'Get on with it!'

The masses made another noise.
Then gradually the shouting began to echo.
Then it gradually transformed into a huge object, as if those gathered there weren't just onlookers.

''Accept!　Embrace it!　Embrace it!　Embrace it!　Embrace it!　Embrace it!　Embrace it!　Embrace it! ...............................

The next thing you know, everyone gathered there was shouting out in a certain rhythm, urging the women to kill themselves.
It's all things that justify Amadeus' words.
The more they said it aloud, the louder the voices got, and the more excited some of the onlookers seemed to be getting.
Furthermore, those who were passing by were also involved, and the words that enveloped the Clock Tower Plaza, and the negative power that humans possessed.
It was truly felt.

At that moment, the woman smiled with tears in her eyes and jumped down from the top of the tower, smiling.
I don't know if she had any regrets.
What did the woman initially plan to do when she climbed the clock tower?
Maybe I was just trying to climb it.
But such convenience was easily shattered.
A suicide enforced and executed.
Amadeus manipulated the masses and encouraged the woman to take a step forward.

Then more loud cheers erupted there.



And the woman falls.
Headlong to the ground.
There would be no more to be saved.

The crowd was agitated and the bystanders smiled blankly at the scene.
The only victim was a woman. But who could have stopped them?
Was there anyone here who tried to stop it?
But now that the woman has jumped off, I don't know that anymore.

'I knew humans ... shouldn't be alive.

Such words spilled out of his unconsciousness, Masamune.
The words were swallowed by the crowd and drowned out by the empty voices.

But when the woman was about to touch the ground.

-- the woman's body stopped in mid-air.

''Eh?''

Toa blurted out at the sight.

A woman stops at the ground.
I looked and saw Amadeus holding out his hand towards the woman.

'Well done!　Her life is a precious thing!

Then the woman's body is slowly drawn back to Amadeus.
Apparently, the woman is fainting.

Then, beside Amadeus, several white robed individuals appeared beside her.
They had white masks like death masks stretched over their faces, and their white hoods and robes covered their entire bodies.

''Amadeus-sama, we'll leave you in charge.

"Please. Treat it respectfully, and we'll perform the Rite of Rebirth.

I'm sorry, sir.

Then the unconscious woman disappeared from the scene, along with several groups of believers.

'O people!　If you don't want to die, you'll die for once.　Then, or you will not be able to die. I no longer have to fear death.　I am Ankh Amadeus, God of Life!　With ankh in my heart, I give you a path to follow in your despair!　I'll lead you to the one you seek!　Do it!　Let's save this world too....

And Amadeus leaves without saying anything more to the masses.

'Whoa!　Didn't you just look at me?

Then the Toa's expression twisted again, and then he expressed it with his whole body.
Apparently, Amadeus had seen the Toa and the others for a moment.

From its mask, which seemed to be a fusion of a beast and a human skull, there was no gap to check their gaze.
Would he be able to see them if he got closer?
But at least we can't see it from here.

You saw that. What's going on here?　It's creepy.

Francesca agrees.
So I guess that's what it is.

Dolly pointed her magic tool at the back of The God of Life and clicked the shutter.

'Holy crap, it's another story, isn't it?

Dolly is excited.

'I don't want to?　You do it.

Francesca, on the other hand, is in denial.
There is no more Francesca as a reporter for the demonic communication.

''I have a chill...''

Nem was rubbing his body, making his tail stand up.

'So, you're feeling better now, aren't you?　Now that Schneizel is waiting for us, let's get back to the carriage.

Masamune said simply.
He didn't express any particular thoughts or seem to agree with the Toa's words.

'Now that we've eaten, let's get back to the carriage and get some rest.

Masamune suggested, though he didn't look tired.

"I'm not interested in the 'festival'..."

Masamune then turns his back on the clock tower and leaves.

The five of them followed Masamune through the crowd of humans.
Nem lined up beside Masamune at a small run.
He then stared up at Masamune from his feet.

''Hey?　What do you think of that kind of thing, Nito?

Then Toa appeared next to him and suddenly asked.

'Hmm?'

Masamune suddenly had no idea what that meant.

'What do you think of something like that?'

What do you think?

What do you mean by "like that"?
Masamune thought so.

'So you don't feel the creepiness?'

'I feel it?　What does it matter?

Just because you feel it doesn't mean it is what it is.
Masamune was cold.

''........Yeah. It's not that I don't care about that, but.......

Then Toa didn't ask any more, and for some reason he seemed to be reserved.

'What are you angry about?'

Then Nem at his feet, following Toa, asked that.
Masamune looked down at Nem in wonder.

'Angry?　Me?

Nem nodded twice in response to the question with a coy smile.

'I'm not angry, though?'

Nemu does not change his expression in response to the answer, but is still staring at Masamune's expression.

Sufilia doesn't say anything, but for some reason, she comes snuggling up behind Masamune.
What is this situation?
Masamune chuckled at the difficulty of the walk, but a question mark appeared on his face.
And beyond the question, he worked out the feelings of the three of them, saying that he was that much more offended by the scene he had just seen.

"It's still more comfortable to wear a mask.".......Masamune thought secretly in his mind, since he didn't have to worry about his expression.

Mas Masamune's mask is a convenient thing; it hides his true identity and does not let the other party realize the meaning of his expression.
Masamune had been living in the mask for a long time, but he felt the negative effects of the mask.

Let's leave the bloodline of the benevolent man and leave this town quickly. It's not a good town anyway.

The three of them remained silent for some reason when Masamune said that, and they were looking at each other's faces.

Masamune doesn't actually know what Toa, Nem, and Sufilia's mind is.
As usual, he patted Nem's head again, but he just didn't know how to respond.
Maybe by doing so, they are trying to get back to their daily lives.
At any rate, the scene we just saw was so extraordinary.

''It's wise not to get involved with things like that. Nito-san's decision would be correct. It would be better for you to leave here quickly.

Francesca says something like that in the background.
All the while, Dolly was clicking the shutter and taking pictures of the town.
Would she include the town's scenery in her article?

But Masamune didn't want to get involved, it wasn't about how he didn't want to get involved, he simply wanted to get to Dahms Ardan as soon as possible.
He just wanted to finish his business in Dahms Ardan and go to the Demon Country for the Toa.





â





　You're early.

When I returned to the carriage, I found Schneizel relaxing in the living room.
And that's the first thing he said.

Do we have a horse yet?

'No, I'm ready to go, but...'

It means they can leave now, but as Schneizel, it seems that they were planning to leave much later.
This town is not a wealthy town, but it is large in its own way.
That's why I thought it would be more of a tourist thing to do.

'I've had enough of this town. Let's get out of here.

Masamune sits on the sofa while telling him that.

''What, have you had enough of this town already?''

Schneizel asks, teacup in hand.

'We just didn't have anywhere in particular to sightsee.

Then Toa and the others take a seat on the couch with a tired look on their faces.
Francesca's expression is also dark.

''Hmm?　Aren't you guys a little more sluggish than when you arrived?

At those words, they all turn to Schneizel, and the Toa.
It says on their faces, "Don't ask.
Then Francesca had no choice but to answer.

'There was a vein of the Charity.

...I see.

Then there is an unnatural pause, and Schneizel is immediately convinced.
Apparently, Schneizel also knew about the Jishi's bloodline.
That's how well known the "Jishi's Bloodline" is.

"According to my information, it's a religious organization that has been gaining strength in recent years, right?

'Yes. It wasn't a deadly thing but I saw something that made me feel a little sick.

Francesca didn't elaborate.

Francesca still looks gloomy.
Next to her, Dolly is organizing her camera.

A few moments later the carriage starts to move.

The drink and the meat were good, weren't they?

Toa was reminded of The Rock King's Spring Wine.
He was satisfied with the food, aside from what he had just done.

'Right?　The drinks were great.

I'm happy to come back for more food.

Well yes.

Masamune replied, after a beat.

Did Toa like the drink?
Or is it meat?
Masamune doesn't move from the sofa for a while, thinking about this.

And then the scenery outside the window starts to move, and the town of Gruffudd is moving away.
----.

After a while, Schneizel left the living room and returned to the other room.

There is everything in this living room.
If there is wine, there is whiskey.

Sufilia was drinking wine.
Then she picked up some meat.
I don't know what kind of meat it is, but it's like dried beef jerky.
Sufilia is eating it normally and it should be fine, so Masamune tries it too.

''Francesca-san?　Is Pasquantin and Utopia far from here?

Somehow, Masamune asks such a question.

'No, they're not that far apart, are they?　Why?

'No, there's no particular reason for it. It's just something. Forget it.

Masamune then took out the whiskey and 'Old Gelt' from the different space storage and took out the whiskey from earlier.
He's going to use it as a snack for the sake.

This wine I found in the first dungeon, but it seems that I have hardly touched it since I learned that it is an expensive thing.
However, it seems that he drinks it occasionally.

Masamune thinks that drinking alcohol is a must.
But if it's worth the money, I'll just leave it there, and I couldn't do much with it.

'Sufilia, drink this one, okay?　You like it?

Then the Sufiria's eyes were shining at the "Old Gelt" that Masamune presented to her.

More importantly, if there was this much food, there was no need to go to that town, was there?
Masamune was suddenly thinking about that.

'Francesca-san?　How long does it take to get to Dames Aldan from here?

Well we'll be there in three days.

Three days let's have a drink or two.
Then we'll go check on the dungeon?
Masamune's mind was appropriate.

I'll just have a drink.

Masamune poured the whiskey into the glass, took a sip and thought about that.

''Huh........a great mage.......''

Suddenly, the words come out.

"What did you say?

Toa asked, beer in hand.

'It's nothing...'

Masamune stares out the window with a weary expression on his face.
But there is nothing to see but a wilderness.

Masamune will soon become a "country," and this might be a good opportunity.
Sooner or later he will have to go to the Beast Country, and although he doesn't know what kind of country it is, he will have to go to the Underworld.
In that case, the title of country should be useful in many ways.
If I say that the Great Mage is offering an audience, the Beast Country, which says it won't let people through, will have a better chance of accepting it.
It's going to be tied to the concept of a country, but it's not all bad.
We can use it where it's available.

--or worse, you can go with brute force.

Masamune was drunk on alcohol and had a lax idea.





â





　This is Cattleya, the land of the rich.
This is the land of humans, where the slave trade is openly recognized.

The king's hobby is to collect beastmen women for his collection, and it is steeped in self-interest.
It has no alliances with other countries, and has no ties to similar countries such as the Pasquantines.
Unless you are very ignorant or eccentric, this is a country that beastmen don't go near.

Since there is no adventurer's guild, one would think that adventurers would also stay away, but this is not the case.
This country has a very large number of people coming and going.

Mainly it is merchants, nobles, and adventurers.
But whatever they are, none of them are sound.

--They are all acquainted with the darkness.

Merchants buy slaves and sell them to nobles and others at a high price.
When adventurers buy slaves, they add them to their parties and do whatever they want.
The majority of the slaves are forcibly kidnapped, and some have had their villages raided and brought to their homelands on fire at their side.
You'll be able to find a lot of people who are happy with their circumstances.

--I'm not going to be happy about it.

Cattleya is that kind of country, but there are no more people here.
There are no more people in this country, and even the country is gone.
The place where the country was supposed to be is now a vacant lot and there is nothing there anymore.
It's as if there was never a country here in the first place, as someone had said.

-- but there are traces of it.

Cattleya was in the wilderness.
It's not the kind of place where a country would normally stand, with plants and trees and crazy plants growing wildly.
Currently, the place where the country should have been is flat, as if it had been cleared, and not a single blade of grass is growing.
There are still unidentified weeds and plants all around, but for a wide area, only there is nothing there.

That meant that something existed here, proof that something had happened here.
But who knows what happened to a country that disappeared overnight?

No longer does anyone know what has happened to the country.
Cattleya is gone.

There is no more evidence.

There is no more evidence.

----Cattleya is gone.